Woman appears in court on 2nd-degree murder charge in pedestrian's death
Norma Jean MacPhee | CBC News | Posted: July 17, 2017 6:22 PM | Last Updated: July 17, 2017
28-year-old victim died Friday in hospital after being struck by a vehicle in Sydney Mines
A Sydney Mines, N.S., woman charged with second-degree murder and criminal negligence causing death after a vehicle struck and killed a woman Friday has made a court appearance.
Tension was palpable Monday as Kimberly Ann O'Dea, 36, was remanded to custody until a bail hearing Aug. 2 in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Sydney.
Family and friends of the 28-year-old victim sobbed during O'Dea's brief appearance before a judge.
Police were called to a report of a collision Friday morning on Oxford Avenue in Sydney Mines. The victim was airlifted to hospital in Halifax where she later died from her injuries.
O'Dea was arrested a short time later. Police say the two women knew each other.
'Distraught' over charges
O'Dea has yet to find a lawyer and was represented Monday by duty counsel Michael Kuna.
"She's very, very distraught and upset over the charges," Kuna said outside court.
There is a list of 17 people O'Dea is not allowed to contact.
Crown attorney Gerald MacDonald said there is a "significant amount" of disclosure to go through and the investigation is ongoing.
He noted both charges O'Dea faces carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
"There are different minimums with parole eligibility, but certainly a life sentence is a life sentence, so it is a serious charge," he said.